On New Year’s Day, we pay a visit to a shrine for the first time to wish our happiness and safe. It was called ‘’Toshigomori’’ and Ieyasu Tokugawa (he is one of the famous Japanese general) prayed his prosperity from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day. People go to a shrine and throw in a coin. They enjoy drawing a fortune slip and tell their fortune. They buy Hamaya. It is an arrow which is drawn this year’s the twelve zodiac signs. It is famous as bringer of good luck of New Year’s Day. Some women wear Kimono and go to Hatsumoude. Many people go to Hastumoude, so shrines are congested with visitors every year. Last year, I went to the Astuta shrine and go to Hastumoude. There was very crowded. It took about 30 minutes to arrive at offering box.
Looks like the Japanese to go to the shrine hope to be safe,but the Taiwanese go to the temple hope to be safe.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the activities in New Year are different between Japen and Taiwan,but we all pray the same thing - to be safe in the new year. :)
ReplyDeleteYour introduction is quite detailed, it helps me know more about the custom of the Japanese New Year. Thanks.
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